Best Places to Visit in Melbourne, Australia
The best places to visit in Melbourne are the Melbourne Skydeck on level 88 of the Eureka Tower, Queen Victoria Market, Federation Square, the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and Melbourne Zoo. Here is a quick guide to each, plus where to stay.
| Place | Why go |
|---|---|
| Melbourne Skydeck, Eureka Tower | Level 88 views at 285 m, plus a glass cube that juts out |
| Crown Towers Melbourne | 5-star hotel in the Crown complex, opened 1997 |
| Queen Victoria Market | Largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere |
| Federation Square | Arts and events hub next to Flinders Street station |
| Phillip Island Penguin Parade | Little penguins come ashore at dusk |
| Melbourne Zoo | Around 243 species in Royal Park |
See the city from Melbourne Skydeck
Eureka Tower, opened in October 2006, is 297 meters tall. Its observation deck on level 88 is the highest public vantage point in a building in the Southern Hemisphere, at 285 meters, and it opened to the public in May 2007. A glass cube called The Edge extends 3 meters out from the building. An entry fee applies.
Where to stay: Crown Towers Melbourne
Crown Towers opened on 8 May 1997 and is rated a 5-star hotel, with about 480 rooms across 43 levels. Booking sites in 2026 cite average nightly rates in the area of $380, though guest reviews on service are mixed, so check recent reviews for your dates.
Eat and drink in the laneways
Melbourne’s hidden laneways are known for small cafes, bars and street art. Wander the central business district on foot and follow the queues rather than a fixed list.
Queen Victoria Market
Covering over seven hectares and opened in 1878, it is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere and attracts around ten million visitors a year. It sells fresh food, souvenirs and clothing, and bargaining with sellers is part of the fun.
Federation Square
Fed Square covers 3.2 hectares across from Flinders Street station. It hosts cultural institutions such as ACMI and the Ian Potter Centre, plus cafes, bars and public events.
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Phillip Island is home to roughly 40,000 little penguins. Every evening at dusk, visitors gather in a controlled viewing area at Summerland Beach to watch them come out of the sea and cross the sand to their burrows.
Melbourne Zoo
Set in Royal Park, about 4 kilometers north of the city centre, the zoo held 3,742 animals of 243 species as of 2021. Gorillas, tigers, koalas and kangaroos sit among the exhibits, and trams 58 and 19 stop nearby.
FAQ
What is the best view in Melbourne?
Melbourne Skydeck on level 88 of Eureka Tower, at 285 meters, is the highest public vantage point in a building in the Southern Hemisphere.
What is Queen Victoria Market known for?
It is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere, opened in 1878, and draws around ten million visitors a year.
Where can you see penguins near Melbourne?
At the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, where little penguins come ashore at dusk.
How big is Federation Square?
It covers 3.2 hectares at the edge of the central business district, across from Flinders Street station.
Is Crown Towers Melbourne a 5-star hotel?
Yes, it is rated 5-star. It opened on 8 May 1997 and has about 480 rooms across 43 levels.
Last updated: October 2026.
